Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1887-09-23
THE HEBREW NEW YEAR.
COMMEMORATIVE SERVICES AT THE
SYNAGOGUE.

1
Jewish Synagogue On Kalorama street was
brilliant with lights and we'll filled by oui
Hebrew friends. 1t was New Years day
and the year was opened with religious ser
vices in their house of'worship. mhe two
readers, Maj. Alex. Hart and Mr.. Louis
were very interesting. Good music. in
| terspersed with Hebrew and English
readings and prayers, and Is minutes
lecture by Maj. Hart, full Of sound adj
vice, good wishes. and practical views OF
| life, filled the hour spent there. At TIE
close of the service the congratulations OF
the New Year were in order and were ex-
changed by those present.
The day was. according to the Hebrew
reckoning, the first of the month Of Tishri
Of the year 5e4S after the creation of the
world. It was Rosh Hashanah or
New Years day. 1t is also called the day
of memorial, the day of Judgment, and the
day of sounding the trumpet, each term
having special allusion and Specification.
The trumpet is made of a ram IS horn, in
allusion to the ram sacrificed by Abraham
in lieu of his son Isaac, which subject
forms the Pentateuchal lesson for the day.
1t is the commencement of the ten peni-
tential days which continue until the day
of atonement, which will occur on the
2sth instant, These holidays are the
most solemn and important in the Jewish
calender, as all persons are supposed to be
in judgment, and arraign their conscien-
ces for their conduct OF the past year;
when, if they have confessed themselves
to God and resolved upon anne ndment,
pardon is promised (Isiah, lv, Ezekiel,
xvii, 21-32
On Monday morning at 10 O'Clock
another service was held at the Synagogue
here, which like that of Sunday evening
was attended by the whole Jewish popula-
ton. The services were conducted by
Maj. Alex. Hart the English reader, and
Mr.. Louis Cohen the Hebrew reader. The
following is a brief sketch of Maj. Hart .
address to the congregations:
We are assembled here upon the eve of
the New Year by the command of the
Almighty; Lev. xii chap. ION the 1st
day Of the 9TH month, shall be unto you as
as a Sabbath, no serYile work shall ye
do.' This festival commentaries the
Creation of the World. We pause upon
the threshold of the New Year to reflect
upon our conduct for the past year. Is
there one among those assembled here who
can honestly say that he or she has obeyed
faithfully all Gods commands, and who
have sacrificed any worldly interest to
manifest their gratitude for the many
blessings received from our Heavenly
Father? Have we not yielded to tempta-
tions? Have we not in orr eagerness
for pleasure or profit been led astray and
violated commands well known to us and
often repeated in our ears? 1t is well for
US at this solemn hour to reflect if IN the
gain we have achieved pecuniarily, we
have not lost that moral respect, and cast
, a shadow upon our souls, which may be
reflected to cur dishonor at the seat of the
Almghty's throne at the eternal roll call?
Is it our purpose TO continue in a path
that leads to everlasting shame. or shall
we determine that this New Y ear shall be
one Of reform? Let Us remember that
life is brief; that there is no certainty of
the day of our death, that we may be sum-
moned before the Great Judge at an unex-
peeled moment and find ourselves unpre-
pared to present ourselves for examina-
ton.
There are many who go through life
without padsing for an instant to reflect on
what might be the consequence of their
actions. Individual advancement is the
absorbing thought and action. They do not
observe the beautiful creations of the Al
mighty Or the wonderful order in which
they move, nor do the needs Of their fell
their minds. While God intended that
man should labor, and by his frugality
and Industry enjoy comforts and pleas
ures, He did not intend that he should
be selfish. To enjoy happiness unalloyed,
it is requisite to use part OF that means
with which we have been blest, in bene :
fitting those who have been less fortunate.
There are many names of men and women
who have devoted their lives and means
so generously that they have been blest
by thousands, and whose memory will
ever live on the pages of history. 1t may
never be within our ability to found great
hospitals, or institutions for education, or
homes for the widow and orphan, but in
the sphere of each individual, no matter
how humble, there are opportunities to
assist in relieving distress and contribut-
ing to the happiness of others.
Let the New Year inaugurate cur re-
solves to so act towards our fellow crea-
lures as to deserve the recognition of the
Almighty and plead at His throne for the
forgiveness of our sins. invoke this day
Gods mercy. May he shelter you under
the shadow of His wings. and may the
New Year be to you full of Health, Hap
piness, and Prosperity.
Among those from abroad who were in
attendance at the New Year service at
the synagogue were Miss Bertha Marx of
Pensacola, Fla, Miss Pauline Heyman of
Chester. S. c., pupils at the Augusta
Female Seminary; Mr.. S. Schwartz Of
Durham. N. c., Gather of Mrs. NJ. B.
Oberdorfer). and Mr. Isidore Schonfeldt
CT Clifton Forge.
Call Accepted.
The Session Of Hebron church has re-